Both men and women perceive a gender gap at work – one that expands when they’re parents. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/40oFpvk
A series of comic books focused on politics has a new edition: “Political Power: Tim Walz”. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Al5Ret
Speaking of books, Star Tribune Publisher Steve Grove has written one. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e7kj7C
Today’s 6:20 morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48pdeye
Sunday Take featured the only scheduled debate in the race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Amy Klobuchar and challenger Royce White. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eYBKsw
Sign-up for Walz Watch: https://fluence-media.co/walzwatch
Sign-up for Sports Take a weekly preview of the week ahead published on Thursdays. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/SportsTakeSignUp
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WISCONSIN: From Clay Masters via MPR, VERBATIM: “Blended among the orange and yellow leaves falling from trees in late October in northern Wisconsin are red, white and blue signs bearing the name of Republican nominee Donald Trump and blue-and-white signs promoting Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. The mix of placards populating country roadsides drive home how this state is as politically purple as they come. And the barrage of ads in mailboxes and on television do, too. Unlike Minnesota, Wisconsin is one of roughly seven swing states that will decide the presidential election — and it’s getting the outsized attention to show for it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e8EaU5
GEN Z: From Binta Kanteh and Elza Goffaux via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota, Gen Z voters, the oldest who are 27 this year, are expected to be a crucial voting bloc in this fall’s election. While some are opting out or voting third party because of their frustration with the Democratic and Republican front-runners, the state’s young voters will likely turn out at the polls . . . A recent report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University ranked Minnesota sixth nationally in ‘youth electoral significance,’ meaning Gen Z Minnesotans have the potential to influence the state’s presidential pick, as well as key down-ballot races.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YohvNB
MORE: Via Tufts University, the report. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4foV4yG
MORE: From Madison Bloomquist via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Each presidential election cycle ushers in a new generation of voters. And candidates tend to spend an outsize chunk of their campaigning attempting to court this young, possibly-still-malleable group. ‘It’s nothing new,’ says April Eichmeier, an assistant professor at the University of St. Thomas who studies political communication. ‘After all, Gen X had Bill Clinton going on late-night shows.’ But this generation of voters won’t be found in those audiences—they’re on TikTok.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YEhIh8
MEN: From Regina Medina via MPR, VERBATIM: “Both major political parties believe they best represent the interests of Black and Latino men and are asking for their votes. MPR News spoke with five Minnesota men and asked them to tell us what issues and policies are motivating them to vote this year. Teto Wilson 51, is a business owner in north Minneapolis, Dudley Edmondson, 63, is a freelance media artist in Duluth, Jeremiah Fuller, 36, works at a St. Paul nonprofit, Edgar Hernandez, 44, is a pastor in Hopkins and Robbie Lopez-Mendez, 22, is a St. Paul resident and works at an immigration law firm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AhKWJg
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Flint Hills Resources makes fuels and other products people need and use every day, products that help keep Minnesota moving. The company does this while prioritizing safety and environmental stewardship and contributing meaningfully to the community. STEWARDSHIP WITH A PURPOSE: Four pillars of stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
GUN: From Max Nesterak via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A man charged with felony firearm possession for turning in a gun to his parole officer will spend five years on probation — with a suspended five-year prison sentence — as part of a plea deal approved by a St. Louis County judge on Monday. The sentencing agreement ends a legal saga stretching back more than two years to July 14, 2022, when Steven Cooper found a gun and ammunition in the Chevy Blazer left to him by his deceased brother.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f1ZNqq
DOWNTOWNS: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, VERBATIM: “Times Square-style billboards, new transit hubs, and more apartments converted out of former office spaces: All are ideas that Twin Cities leaders have recently floated to revitalize the two downtowns. Why it matters: Office buildings are worth way less in the era of hybrid work, a sea change that could increase strain on property taxpayers outside the downtowns if something doesn't change. Driving the news: In Minneapolis on Monday, Mayor Jacob Frey announced the formation of a 20-member working group, a ‘who's who’ of downtown business and civic leaders, to spearhead revitalization efforts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fjIPn6
MORE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Keith Schubert reports Frey also supports allowing open alcohol containers in what would be social districts in the Warehouse District. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eYCwpe
TONIGHT: From Katrina Pross via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis city staff are expected to unveil their vision to redevelop George Floyd Square to community members tonight. More than four years after George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officers, the intersection where he was killed in south Minneapolis has remained almost unchanged. Artwork fills the streets, and some buses still haven’t returned to the intersection. Tuesday’s announcement comes following a series of monthly community engagement sessions that have been ongoing since March.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NGSCrJ
COLLEGE HOUSING: From Erin Adler via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Across the state, some schools are arranging creative housing options for students this fall, from retirement homes to off-campus apartments. Others are bunking in lounges converted into sleeping spaces, Airbnbs or double dorm rooms that now squeeze in a third roommate. The students’ unusual digs can present challenges, but they’re attempts by colleges like the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Olaf and the University of St. Thomas to accommodate every student who wanted to live on campus as the schools face increased enrollment this year, bucking national trends of shrinking student counts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hDev9d
‘I GOT INTO THIS INDUSTRY TO HELP PEOPLE’ - Taylor, a first-generation descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, is a member of Enbridge’s Tribal engagement team in Wisconsin. She loves getting out into Tribal communities to educate people on Enbridge’s purpose and to help them understand opportunities in the trades. Taylor enjoys her role at Enbridge, where she feels valued and appreciated as a member of the team. She believes Enbridge will continue to make an impact with Indigenous communities through the company’s Indigenous Peoples Policy. Taylor’s dedication to helping others and her commitment to her heritage drive her every day, and her work at Enbridge is a testament to the company’s commitment to social responsibility. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3P3wqK9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
DULUTH: From Mary Skorich via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “On Monday, the City of Duluth officially reopened the popular Duluth destination of Brighton Beach at Kitchi Gammi Park. ‘Brighton Beach and Kitchi Gammi Park are probably the most visited park in the city of Duluth, one of the most heavily, both by residents and by tourists alike. It’s kind of the gateway to the north shore. It’s the last stop out of the Duluth, but it’s one that almost everybody stops at,’ said Cliff Knettel, assistant manager of Duluth Parks and Recreation. For the past few years, Brighton Beach has been a construction zone with what seemed to be no end in sight.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48uM35c
MENDOTA HEIGHTS: From Andrew Krueger via MPR, VERBATIM: “Work continues to repair and reopen a Twin Cities highway that’s been closed for months. A section of State Highway 13 in Mendota Heights was closed to traffic in early June, after rain-saturated ground on a hillside below the road gave way. After the Minnesota Department of Transportation studied the problem over the summer and created a plan to address it, crews started working on the highway in September.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e36LtT
RAMP: From Krystal Frasier via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A ramp closure at a major Minneapolis interchange, as well as a lane reduction on I-94, will cause many Twin Cities area drivers to take a different route or leave earlier for roughly a month. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is closing the northbound I-35W ramp to eastbound I-94 until Friday, Nov. 29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40iMJII
ECOLAB: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc. (ECL) on Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings of $736.5 million. On a per-share basis, the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $2.58. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, came to $1.83 per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company posted revenue of $4 billion in the period, which missed Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YES3VB
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Water solutions company Ecolab on Tuesday raised its full-year adjusted earnings forecast after reporting a third-quarter profit beat, bolstered by robust demand for its products and lower costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e00pvm
NEXTGEN: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “More than one hundred high school and college students competed in a cyber sports tournament in Brooklyn Park on Monday. It was part of a larger, three-day Cyber Security Summit hosted at the Marriott Northwest. For the students, it was a chance to hone their skills and get noticed by industry insiders.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48sPsBb
NOTE: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in other newsletters. If you love lunch take, sign up for the other tip sheets HERE: fluence-newsletters.com
THIS WEEK: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “Sweater weather will have to wait a few more days. State of play: It's the last week of October, and temps are expected to near 80 for a second consecutive day. Driving the news: Tuesday's forecast high of 79 for the Twin Cities is one degree above the previous record, set in 1922.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UreHya
NEXT YEAR: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The USA Curling Men‘s and Women’s National Championships are coming to Duluth. The sport has its ties here to the Northland, with John Shuster bringing home Olympic gold in 2018. Championship weekend will be January 27 through February 2 at the DECC.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YrkuVt
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
EXPORTS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “There’s some hope among farmers the recent uptick in corn and soybean export sales will improve prices. Bryan Biegler farms in southwest Minnesota. ‘It’s been nice seeing this little bump coming up here, certainly going to need a little higher prices just to cover input costs for next year.’ He tells Brownfield margins are tight.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40jbhBj
OATS: From Christopher Snowbeck via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “From his combine on an October afternoon, harvesting dried-out soybeans the color of dust, Martin Larsen points to a hillside where his ancestors from Scandinavia homesteaded. History might be happening again on the Larsen farm. Last year, on this plot of land along the Zumbro River, the 43-year-old farmer from Byron grew oats. Not oats for hogs or cows. But oats for humans. He hauled the oats to a miller across the state line into Iowa. A previous year, Larsen even had a contract with Oatly, the trendy Swedish maker of milk alternatives. Something of an oat renaissance has been occurring down in the fields west of the Mississippi River. During winters, Larsen — through his job with the Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District — evangelized to fellow farmers on the humble small grain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e41B0I
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ELECTROMED: From New Prague-based Electromed via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Electromed, Inc. (NYSE American: ELMD), a leader in innovative airway clearance technologies, today announced that it will release its financial results for the fiscal 2025 first quarter ended September 30, 2024, on November 12, 2024 after the close of the stock market. Company management will host a conference call the same day at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Yptn1V
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HOT SPOTS: From Kate O’Neil via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Classy cocktail lounges with moody lighting. Energetic breweries boasting every brew on tap imaginable. Whatever you are in the mood for, here are a few bars, restaurants, and more that have earned their place as dining hot spots—vibes included.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40nQc8N
STEAK: Via Eater Twin Cities, an updated guide to steakhouses. LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3fIMwJI
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois... https://fluence-media.co/3vkqhMN
BDAYS: U of MN’s Alice Davis Roberts, Apex Energy’s Anna Richey, lobbyist Patrick Murray